Short-Handed Anaheim Falls 12-9 at Tacoma

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Despite four goals and two assist from star striker Adriano de Lima, an Anaheim Bolts side that was short several key players fell to hosts Tacoma Stars 12-9 on Saturday night. The Stars turned in a strong team performance in the contest, a total of eleven players recording goals or assists. Tacoma midfielder Ian Weinberg led the home side's scoring with three tallies.

The Stars held a 3-2 lead at the conclusion of the game's opening period, courtesy of strikes by Mark Lee, Micah Wenzel and Eli Gordley. Midfielders Jayro Martinez and Tommy Antunovich found the net for Anaheim . Another 3-2 run saw Tacoma take a 6-4 overall advantage into halftime, Amos Freiheit, Evan Denmark and Weinberg delivering the goals for the hosts while De Lima bagged a brace at the other end.

The third quarter saw the hosts extend their advantage to 9-6. Weinberg completed his hat-trick with a pair of tallies and De Lima also recorded his third goal of the match, followed by strikes from Tacoma midfielder Chase Tangney and Bolts striker Gil Hernandez, who was one of several debutants for Head Coach Jeff Tackett's squad.

The visitors from Southern California played some of their best soccer in the game's closing period, as a 3-2 run saw them get within reach of an impressive comeback. After Antunovich scored for Anaheim and Tacoma's Denmark and Gordley struck at the other end, the Bolts responded with consecutive goals of their own, Martinez and De Lima finding the net to bring the overall score to 11-9 with over five minutes left on the clock.

Despite furious attacking efforts in the game's final stages, the Bolts were unable to cut the deficit to one, the Stars defense holding strong and allowing Sean Morris to make it 12-9 on a late Tacoma counter-attack.

Orange County's professional indoor soccer team has a chance to redeem itself in Sunday's rematch with the Stars, before returning home for its big home clash with rivals and defending PASL champions San Diego Sockers on February 2. Tickets for the 7 p.m. PT fixture start at $12 and may be purchased through Ticketmaster or the Anaheim Convention Center Arena box office. Parking is free. For more information, please call the Bolts front office at 714-321-9898 or the Anaheim Convention Center Arena at 714-765-8980.